general fiction word of mouth The Good Life Jay McInerney The Good Life revisits some of the characters who populated McIner ney’s previous novel, Brightness Falls. New Yorkers Russell and Corrine Calloway are now parents to twins, Jeremy and Storey. But as the strength of their mar riage weakens and fades, they discover that the children are the only thing that connects them and Cor rine year ns for something more. Meanwhile Luke McGavock, a successful investment banker with a seven-figure income, has decided to take a sabbatical, with the hope of finding the sense of purpose now missing in his life, and reconnecting with his teenage daughter, Ashley. But his wife, Sasha, every bit the New York socialite, proves to be more of an obstacle than part of the solution. Then 9/11 happens. Cor rine and Luke find themselves volunteering side by side at the soup kitchen that helps to feed the workers at Ground Zero. And they fall in love. This is a fascinating insight into the effects of a much- publicised, almost mythical event on the lives of New Yorkers, told with great detail and sensitivity by McInerney. The anger, fear, guilt, hysteria, inconvenience and frustration that followed are conveyed eloquently and with great poignancy through the loss and love of these two people. ★★★★ RG Bloomsbury $29.95 Reviewed by Reg Domingo Daniel isn’t Talking Marti Leimbach Melanie Marsh, an American living in London, has her worst fears confir med when her three-year-old son, Daniel, is diagnosed as autistic. Melanie traipses from specialist to specialist only to be repeatedly told that her son is a hopeless case. Even her husband thinks that a ‘special school’ is the only way to deal with Daniel. Meanwhile, the child himself is sinking deeper into himself and further out of his mother’s reach. As Melanie searches for decent treatment and therapy for her son, her mar riage disintegrates, her bank account empties and her friends drift away. But then she discovers controversial ‘play therapist’ Andy O’Connor and begins to believe in the possibility of a brighter future. Based on Leimbach’s own experience as the mother of an autistic son, the book is heavy on infor mation about the theories surrounding autism and its proposed treatments. Readers with a special interest in autism may find such detail valuable, but its inclusion sometimes makes the novel read like a self-help manual. The occasional infor mation overload is more than made up for, however, by the moving, surprisingly humorous depiction of a woman deter mined to do whatever it takes to give her child a happy, ‘normal’ life. ★★★★ RG 4th Estate $27.95 Reviewed by Emily Maguire Tails Matthew Van Fleet’s lovable menagerie features furry tails, spiny tails, shiny tails, and tails that wag – all designed to inspire and withstand hours of interactive play. 2003•0152167730•Ages2to5years• $24.75 • Red Wagon / Harcourt Reading for kid To order or for more information contact Elsevier Australia customer service: Phone orders can be placed from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call on 1800 263 951 Fax (02) 9517 2249 Mail Elsevier Australia Locked Bag 16, St Peters, NSW 2044 Australia Email customerserviceau@elsevier.com Mouse Paint Lap-sized board bo Join three white (but not for long!) mice in this playful introduction to the world of colour. Mar2006•0152055339• Ages Birth to 3 years • $18.50 • Harcourt Mama A true story, in which a baby hippo loses his Mama during the devastating Tsunami of 2004, but finds a new home, and a new MAMA – which happens to be a 130-year-old giant male tortoise! Apr2006•0152054952•Allages• $20.00 • Harcourt In My World Take a walk with bestselling picture-book creator Lois Ehlert in this vibrant die-cut celebration of nature’s many wonders. 2002•0152054294•Allages•$12.00• Harcourt Overboard! Sarah Weeks’s charming rhythmic text and Sam Williams’s sweet appealing illustrations have come together in a book that mischievous toddlers will want to read again and again. Mar2006•0152050469•Ages2to5years • $24.00 • Harcourt Walk On! With useful tips, common pitfalls, and Marla Frazee’s adorable illustrations, this book is perfect for anyone – from a baby to a graduate to a grown-up – who’s about to take a scary first step. Apr2006•0152055738•Allages•$24.50• Harcourt Visit our website for a list of our recommended stockists http://www.elsevier.com.au/contact.aspx Who’s Under That H Toddlers will have hours of fun with inventive pop-ups, materials to touch, a glittery pinwheel to spin, and a mirror for peekaboo! Oct2005•0152054677•Ages2to5years • $23.00 • Red Wagon / Harcourt